Month: September 2021

Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Unit involved in wreck with another vehicle

/ NPJ
MANY, La – Shortly before 2:30PM this afternoon, a Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Unit was involved in a crash with another vehicle on US Highway 171 in front of Walmart in Many.
 
Initial observations revealed a 2017 Honda Ridgeline driven by a white male failed to yield at the crossover to the entrance of Walmart. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, occupied by three Sheriff Detectives, was headed south and struck the Honda truck on its passenger side.The driver of the Honda truck and two Detectives were taken to Sabine Medical Center for treatment of minor/moderate injuries.
 
One Detective has been released from S.M.C. The driver of the Honda truck and other Detective will be taken to Rapides Regional Medical Center for further treatment. The Detective has a fractured left arm in three places. We were unable to obtain the exact condition of the driver of the Honda truck.
Louisiana State Police Troop E is the lead investigator of the crash.
 
No other information or names will be released at this time.
 
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell would like everyone to keep the driver of the Honda truck, the Sheriff Detectives, and all of their families in your prayers.
 
SOURCE: SPSO

Sabine Law Enforcement Agencies Partner with the Sabine Prevention Alliance in Keeping our Kids Safe

/ NPJ
Parish Law enforcement agencies stand up for our youth in making the area safe for recreation and play around Sabineland.

Recently, Aaron Mitchell, Sabine Parish Sheriff, and Cheryl Wooley, Many Police Chief joined together with their officers, deputies, School Resource Officers, detectives, and K-9 units and youth from around the Parish to make it clear they are committed to keeping our children and youth safe. The Sabine Prevention Alliance (SPA) brought these groups together to join with students from the Parish to take pictures that will be featured on signs in areas where children and youth gather for recreation. 

When asked why she wanted to partner with the SPA, Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooley said, “If we don’t have a safe, productive generation of kids and youth, then this community has no future. It’s vitally important that we help provide a safe environment and opportunities for them to thrive.”

The mission of the Sabine Prevention Alliance is to reduce underage drinking through communication and cooperation with various community members in the Parish.  Each fiscal year, based on the most recent data, the SPA develops and revises an action plan to work toward its goals and mission. 

One of this year’s environmental strategies is to work with and support local and parish law enforcement agencies to implement compliance checks with local alcohol vendors, conduct party patrols to monitor outdoor youth parties, provide sobriety checkpoints during high-risk times and create safe spaces for children, youth and families to recreate. 

Aaron Mitchell said, “As Sheriff of Sabine Parish, I am fully vested and committed to ensure an environment that will keep our youth safe, because the youth in our communities now will be the leaders of our Parish in the future.”

A grant will pay for signs that depict our law enforcement agencies providing a safe space for our children and youth. These signs will send a clear message that our parks and recreational areas are Safe Zones where alcohol, drugs and any other high-risk behaviors are not tolerated. Phone numbers to report any violations will be provided on the signs so our citizens can join in the work of keeping our children and youth safe, sober, and successful. 

James Wagley, Coalition Coordinator for SPA said, “Sabine Prevention Alliance is grateful to our Law Enforcement and other community sectors that show care, concern and responsibility for the safety and support of your children and youth. Together we can build a strong continuum of care for our youth.”

For more information on how you can assist in this community-wide effort, call or text 318-315-0081, go to Facebook / Sabine Prevention Alliance, http://www.sabineprevents.com or visit the SPA Office at 259 Fisher Rd. Many, La 71449.

Many Man Indicted on Drug and Firearm Charges

/ NPJ
SHREVEPORT, La – Ronnie Kurt Hongo Jr (age-42) of Many was indicted September 8, 2021, in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, in Shreveport.
 
The Federal Indictment is for Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and Felon in possession of firearm. This stems from the search of Hongo’s Ivanhoe Street address on March 19, 2021, in Many.
 
Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team Agents located approximately 13 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, crack cocaine, other narcotics, and a firearm.
 
SOURCE: SPSO

BOM Sponsors MHS Football

/ NPJ
Go Many Tigers! BOM is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Many High School football program. Pictured from left are BOM’s Tiffany Miller and MHS Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Jess Curtis.

BOM Congratulates Lori Wallace on Promotion

/ NPJ

BOM would like to congratulate Lori Wallace on her promotion to Staff Accountant. Lori has been with BOM since November of 2019. She is a graduate of Castor High School, and she continued her education at Louisiana Tech University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and her Master’s in Business Administration. Lori is a proud alumna of Kappa Delta Sorority. She traveled as a
consultant immediately after college and has served as a volunteer on the National Leadership Team. Lori said, “I am so thankful to be a part of the BOM family. The relationships I’ve formed and the support I receive are like no other.” In her spare time, Lori enjoys exercising, traveling and spending time with her family and friends. Congratulations, Lori!

Update: MPD has possible lead on vehicle used in recent break-in

/ NPJ

Update:

Many PD has a possible lead on information regarding the recent break-in at Russell’s Jewelry in Many on Thursday. MPD is seeking information on this vehicle seen near the location of Russell’s Jewelry early morning of 9/23/21. Anyone with any information is asked to privately message Many PD on their Facebook page. 

Original:

Russell’s Jewelry of Many was broken into in the early hours of Thursday morning between 4am and 5am. Anyone with any information is being asked to contact the Many Police Department privately or to message privately through their Facebook page. Please refrain from commenting on the Facebook post regarding the situation as it may hinder the intensive investigation currently underway. 

SOURCE: MPD

Natchitoches Parish man arrested for multiple narcotics, weapons charges after lengthy investigation

/ NPJ

Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force agents arrested Jason Lofton, 41, of the 700 block of Allen Beulah Rd. on Sept. 23 after a several month long investigation, according to a Task Force official. During the arrest, Agents conducted multiple search warrants, which resulted in the seizure of the following items:

•Methamphetamine: 3 Pounds 6 ounces. (Estimated street value $14,440.00.)
•Marijuana: 338 grams
•Cocaine: 5.6 grams
•Heroin: 4.7 grams
•Hydrocodone: 6 pills
•Morphine: 10 pills
•Ecstasy: 45 pills
•THC Products (Edibles, THC extract, etc.): 40
•$1,498.00 U.S. currency

As a result of the findings, Lofton was charged with the following charges:
•4 counts – Possession of Schedule I controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
•2 counts – Possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute.
•1 count – Possession of Schedule V controlled dangerous substance.
•1 count – Obstruction of justice.
•1 count – Possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance.
•1 count – Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lofton was issued a District court date of December 6th 2021, and transported to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center to await bond.

This investigation is ongoing

The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force would like to thank the Citizens of Natchitoches for their support. Many times an investigation begins with a simple phone call or tip from a concerned citizen. For this reason, the Task Force encourages all citizens to report any crimes in their neighborhoods anonymously by calling 318-357-2248, The Natchitoches Police Department, or the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The General Plot

/ NPJ

In 1945, General inherited a large multilevel house which was in disrepair.  The wooden structure was in danger of collapsing and the masonry was crumbling.  The floors creaked and swayed, especially when walked on.  The light fixtures in the lower rooms swayed when someone walked on the floors above.  One light fixture in the house seemed to be lower with each passing day.  General referred to the creaking and moaning of the house’s rotting timbers as ghosts.  General had an architect inspect the house who remarked that “the beams [in the house] are staying up there from force of habit only.”  The house was in danger of collapsing.  The last straw came in June of 1948 when a leg of a piano crashed through an upper floor and through the ceiling of the dining room.  In November of 1949, General moved into a residence nearby so that the house he inherited could be reconstructed.  The house had too much sentimental value for it to be demolished.

Not everyone liked General.  In fact, some people wanted to kill General and he knew it.  For this reason, General surrounded himself with bodyguards, some of which were police officers.

At about 2:15 on the afternoon of November 1, 1950, two men, Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo, set a plan into motion to murder General.  They had learned that General had moved into the temporary residence.  Griselio approached the residence from the west side, while Oscar approached from the east.  Police officer Donald Birdzell stood on the front steps of the residence.  Oscar, with pistol in hand, snuck up behind the Birdzell and pulled the trigger.  Snap!!!  Oscar had forgotten to chamber a round in his pistol.  Birdzell turned as Oscar chambered a round.  Oscar fired the pistol and struck Birdzell in his right knee.  As Oscar approached the steps which led to the front door, another bodyguard stepped out of the residence and shot Oscar in the chest.  Oscar collapsed and writhed in pain at the foot of the steps.

Meanwhile, on the west side of the residence, Griselio shot police officer Leslie Coffelt four times at close range.  He turned his pistol on policeman Joseph Downs and shot him three times.  Griselio shot officer Birdzell in his other knee.  Griselio had no more rounds in the gun and stopped to reload.  General, who had been taking a nap on the second floor, peered out of a window directly over the front door to see what the commotion was.  General was a First World War combat veteran and was not frightened by the gunfire.  People yelled for General to get away from the window.  He obeyed their command.  At that moment, Coffelt, though severely injured, fired a single shot at Griselio before falling to the ground unconscious.  The bullet from Coffelt’s pistol struck Griselio in the head and killed him instantly. 

When the shooting was over, three guards were wounded including 40-year-old Leslie Coffelt, who died later that evening during surgery.  Oscar survived and spent the next 29 years in prison.  In an interview with Time magazine about the murder plot, General calmly said, “the only thing you have to worry about is bad luck.”  General grinned and said, “I never have bad luck.”  General remarked that he was unafraid because he “had been shot at by professionals” during the First World War.

Although the shooting lasted less than a minute, General survived a murder attempt in what was described as “the biggest gunfight in Secret Service history.”  You see, the house General inherited was the White House.  General was the Secret Service’s code name for… President Harry Truman.

Sources:

1.     The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 2, 1950, p.1.

2.     Mahan, Sydney. “66 Years Ago Today, President Truman Survived an Assassination Attempt at Blair House.” Washingtonian. November 1, 2016. https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/11/01/president-truman-assassination-attempt-blair-house/

Melrose Folk Art Festival October 9 & 10, 2021

/ NPJ

Inspired by the rich artistic legacy of Historic Melrose, the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APNH) is delighted to host the inaugural Melrose Folk Art Festival. This outdoor event will take place on October 9 & 10, 2021 at Melrose Plantation. The festival will feature dozens of folk artists from Louisiana and around the South displaying and selling their handcrafted, original arts from booths set up across the beautiful grounds. Folk artists use traditional methods, materials, and/or designs. They may draw upon artistic legacies passed down from previous generations or reflect their specific cultural heritage within their work. Works for display and sale at the festival will include paintings and drawings, glasswork, textiles, metalwork, basketry, and woodworking. Admissions will be sold at the gate: $5 for ages 12+, $2 for kids 6-11, free for 5 and under. The hours of the festival are 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday.

The first Melrose Folk Art Festival is pleased to announce their Featured Artist: Kathy Tate Davis. Natchitoches artist Kathy Tate Davis has been an Okra Pod Artist since 1993. She makes original hand-made sculptures from dried okra pods and other products of nature. Pine cones and gourds are added for larger pieces. Kathy will have a booth at the festival, displaying and selling her distinctive folk art pieces. Kathy will be featured in the upcoming fall 2022 issue of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.” She is a current member of The Natchitoches Art Guild & Gallery. Over the past 28 years, her art has been published in Southern Living, The Farm Market Bulletin, Teddy Bear Scene & various newspaper articles.

In addition to the artists, there will be food vendors and folk dancers. The NSU Art Demons will be hosting an art exhibition in the historic Creole Barn. Tours of the Big House and African House will be available for an additional charge. This event is inspired by Clementine Hunter, the famous folk artist who lived and worked at Melrose, and whose works are available for viewing at African House on site. October 1 has been designated “Clementine Hunter Day” by the State of Louisiana. Funds raised from this event will support the ongoing preservation of Melrose Plantation, a National Historic Site. Sponsorship has been provided by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission.

In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been set for the following weekend. The organizers will follow all federal, state, and local mandates relating to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Any changes to the festival will be announced through social media and the website.

Melrose Plantation is located at 3533 Hwy 119, only 15 miles south of Natchitoches, LA.

Notice of Death – September 27, 2021

/ NPJ

NATCHITOCHES:
Deborah Rikard Gay
August 13, 1950 – September 27, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Williw Lee (Moody) Taylor
September 19, 1945 – September 23, 2021
Service: Saturday, October 2 at 11 am at the North Star Baptist Church, located at 734 Hwy. 485 in Powhatan

Cedric Glynn Lonadier
July 14, 1955 – September 25, 2021
Service: Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 10 am at St. Maurice Cemetery in St. Maurice

Charlotte Walraven Constable
November 5, 1951 – September 24, 2021
Service: Wednesday, September 29 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

Linda Marie Willis
May 26, 1957 – September 19, 2021
Service: Saturday, October 2 at 9:30 am at the Baptist Cemetery in Allen

Detre Willis
March 28, 1972 – September 22, 2021
Service: Sunday, October 3 at 11 am in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

Joseph Lynch
September 20, 2021
Service: Saturday, October 2 at 2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

James Clark
September 21, 2021
Service: Saturday, October 2 in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

Felenn Sowell
September 08, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Minnie Johnson
September 04, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Many runs all over Tioga for third straight win

/ NPJ

Tioga came into John W. Curtis Stadium Friday night at the underdog, and they left feeling the same way. In a game that Many won 46-7, it really wasn’t that close.

Penalties in the first half negated two Tiger touchdowns. Toward the end of the third quarter with the Tigers up 46-7, the clock began to run continuously until the end of the game.

The Tigers are known for ball possession and the running game, and did little to change anyone’s opinion Friday night. The Tigers ran for 451 yards while the Many defense stuffed Tioga, which netted just 42. 

London Williams accounted for five touchdowns, again. Williams finished with 263 yards on 17 carries and scored on runs of 1, 32, 42, 45, and 60 yards. 

His running mate, Jeremiah James, tallied 142 yards on 12 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown run. He also had a 66-yard run called back on a penalty.

The Tiger defense continues to improve, giving up only one touchdown. The touchdown came on a long pass and a busted coverage by the Tigers. Other than that one play, the Tiger defense played very physical and did not give up anything to the Indians. Tackett Curtis and Tylen Singleton lead the defense with five tackles.

The Tigers are 3-1 having won their last three games, all against 4A schools, in dominating fashion. Tioga fell to 1-3 on the season.

The Tigers, the defending Class 2A state champions who are ranked second in this fall’s state top 10 poll, open the district season next week at Coushatta against  Red River.

Scoring Summary:

1st Quarter:

M- London Williams 1 run (conversion fails), Many 6-0

T – 67 pass (kick good), Tioga 7-6

2nd Quarter:

M – Williams 32 run (two-point conversion), Many 14-7

M – Williams 42 run (two-point conversion), Many 22-7

3rd Quarter:

M – Jeremiah James 72 run (two-point conversion), Many 30-7

M – Williams 45 run (two-point conversion), Many 38-7

M – Williams 60 run (two-point conversion), 46-7

Tourist Commission Board Moves Forward to Find New Executive Director

/ NPJ
Many, LA –  The Executive Director of the Sabine Parish Tourist & Recreation Commission, J. Sterling “Chip” Davis, III, submitted his resignation to the Commission, which was accepted by the Board at a special called meeting on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
 
An open and transparent process to find a replacement for the Executive Direction position will begin soon.
 
The Commission’s Board has determined that Lauren Moore, Board President, will act as the de facto Director according to the By-Laws of the Commission until a replacement is found.

Sabine Parish Man Arrested for Child Pornography Following Felony Drug Arrest

/ NPJ
MANY, La – Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives arrested Joseph Vern Lewing (age-39) of Many this afternoon for pornography involving juveniles.
 
Lewing was arrested for felony drug charges on September 5, 2021, and his cellular device was seized. Detectives extracted the data from Lewing’s phone and analyzed the results. Investigators discovered over 100 child sexual exploitation videos of prepubescent children.
 
Detectives also executed a search warrant of Lewing’s residence and property and seized a computer, several cellular devices, various other digital media, drug paraphernalia, and a small amount of suspected marijuana and methamphetamine.
 
Investigators will be analyzing more digital devices and media accounts and additional criminal charges are pending.
 
Lewing was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for 100 counts of Pornography involving juveniles and a warrant for Distribution of schedule II (Methamphetamine).
No bond has been set at this time by the 11th Judicial District Court.
 
SOURCE: SPSO

Possession of Firearms and Drugs Lead to Time in Federal Prison for Sabine Parish Man

/ NPJ

LAFAYETTE/SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced the resolution of a case in the Western District of Louisiana today.

Cardaries Marks, 29, of Florien, Louisiana, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 84 months in prison, followed by 4 years of supervised release, for distribution of methamphetamine and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. On September 29, 2020, members of the Northwest Louisiana Violent Crimes Task Force and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office met regarding their investigation into the sale of narcotics in the Many, Louisiana area. Agents obtained evidence showing Marks handed a bag of suspected methamphetamine and approximately 95 suspected ecstasy pills to an individual and Marks received payment for those narcotics. The purchased narcotics were sent to the crime laboratory for analysis and confirmed to be over 5 grams of methamphetamine and the pills were confirmed to contain methamphetamine with a net weight of 13.116 grams.

Approximately one month later, law enforcement agents obtained additional evidence regarding an encounter which occurred between Marks and another individual. Marks sold two firearms to the individual and he paid Marks $750 for them. As a convicted felon, Marks knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm. His prior felony convictions were for possession of methamphetamine in July 2019, and possession with intent to distribute narcotics in October 2019.

The FBI, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case.

Zwolle Man Indicted in US District Court, Western District of Louisiana

/ NPJ
SHREVEPORT, La – Frederick Marqueze Smith (age-32) of Zwolle was indicted yesterday in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana, in Shreveport.
 
The Federal Indictment is for Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and Felon in possession of firearm.
 
This stems from his arrest during a traffic stop on July 28, 2021, on LA Highway 191 south of Zwolle.
Smith attempted to flee from Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team Agents, and he had narcotics and a firearm in his possession.
 
SOURCE: SPSO

SPSO Makes Narcotics Arrest Following Months Long Investigation

/ NPJ
MANY, La – The Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team and Detectives arrested Kenneth Ray Smith (age-61) of Many this afternoon.
 
T.N.T. Agents have been investigating Smith’s illegal drug activity for several months. Agents were able to obtain a search warrant for his residence and property on LA Hwy 175 between Many and Belmont.
T.N.T. Agents and Detectives located and seized approximately 1.6 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, 3 handguns and various ammunition.
 
Smith was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession with intent to distribute schedule 1 (Marijuana), Possession of drug paraphernalia, 3-counts of Possession of firearm in presence of CDS, 3-counts of Possession of firearm by convicted felon, and a warrant for 7-counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
 
No bond has been set at this time by the 11th Judicial District Court.
 
SOURCE: SPSO

MPD Investigate Break-in at Russell’s Jewelry

/ NPJ

Russell’s Jewelry of Many was broken into in the early hours of Thursday morning between 4am and 5am. Anyone with any information is being asked to contact the Many Police Department privately or to message privately through their Facebook page. Please refrain from commenting on the Facebook post regarding the situation as it may hinder the intensive investigation currently underway.   

SOURCE: MPD

NSU’s Klevisar wins singles draw of Lady Demon Invitational

/ NPJ

Northwestern State freshman Tjasa Klevisar didn’t drop a singles set throughout the two-day Natchitoches Women’s Care Lady Demon Invitational, finishing off the Black singles draw with a win in the finals Saturday.

Klevisar handled ULM’s Brianna Gomez 6-3, 6-4, marking the third singles match in which Klevisar didn’t drop a set this weekend. Klevisar did win one set 7-6 on Friday, but cruised through the other five sets of singles play.

Teammate Ayu Ishibashi also reached the finals of her draw (White), but the freshman couldn’t solve Southern Miss’ Ebru Yazgan. Ishibashi, who won tiebreaks in each of her first two wins, fell 6-2, 6-1 to Yazgan.

Klevisar did have some championship company on the NSU squad, joined by a pair of Lady Demons who won their consolation finals Saturday.

Sophomore Gig Kanaphuet took care of Lamar’s Jacy Wong 6-4, 6-1 in the Grey singles draw.

In the Purple singles draw, freshman Rozalie Dohnalova recovered from a slow start to dispense of Southern Miss’ Sarah Medik 1-6, 6-1, 10-3.

Sophomore Viktorie Wojcikova reached the consolation finals of the White singles draw, but she couldn’t overcome Lamar’s Alba Perez 7-5, 6-3.

Two Lady Demons reached the third-place match of their respective draws, but neither had an answer for their opponent Saturday.

Minetti couldn’t hold a one-set lead to Lamar’s Elena Rodriguez, falling 3-6, 7-5, 10-6 in the Purple singles draw.

Szczygielska fell to Lamar’s Noelia Lorca 6-3, 6-1 in the Orange singles draw.

After playing one doubles match Friday, players competed in a pair of doubles matches Saturday.

Klevisar nearly added a doubles title with Minetti, reaching the finals with a 7-5 win against ULM’s Grigoriu/Hernandez. But the Southern Miss tandem of Burton/Medik took the title 6-0.

Wojcikova/Dohnalova won the third-place match 6-4 against Grigoriu/Hernandez after falling to Burton/Medik 6-3.

The duo of Szczygielska/Ishibashi captured the consolation title of the White doubles draw with wins of 7-6 (2) against Lamar’s Wong/Perez and 6-2 against Southern Miss’ Das/Yazgan.

Kanaphuet teamed up with Southeastern’s Burdett, falling to ULM’s Pereira/Garbino 6-4 before challenging Lamar’s Jolie/Rubio in a 6-4 defeat.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

High-scoring Many football team is at home tonight against Tioga

/ NPJ

After a 50-0 win last week at Class 4A North Desoto, the Many Tigers football team will host a third straight 4A opponent, the Tioga Indians, tonight at John W. Curtis Stadium at 7:00.

Many is 2-1, having averaged 50 points in its games against 3A Union Parish, 4A DeRidder and North DeSoto. The Tigers led 44-0 at halftime last week.

Last year’s Class 2A state champion, Many is ranked second behind Lafayette Christian in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s 2A top 10 poll this week.

The Tigers will wrap up their non-district schedule with tonight’s contest.

Tioga is 1-2 with their lone victory coming over Pineville in a 7-6 game. The Indians haven’t been far from a 3-0 start, however; they lost 21-20 on the road at Comeaux in Lafayette and fell 18-3 at Byrd in Shreveport before winning on their homefield last Friday.

Tioga lost a lot of players from last season’s state playoff quarterfinal team.

The Tigers’ Sledgehammer Award from the North DeSoto game last week went to Jayvion Smart, who shut down the Griffins’ best receiver all night. The Hard Hat Award went to offensive lineman Garret Foster, who led a great charge up front by the Tigers’ offensive line.

“We have an opportunity to be 3-1 going into district. We have to play four quarters,” said Many coach Jess Curtis. “Our effort and physicality has to continue to be consistent. Great teams show up every week.”

The Tigers kick off district action with a road trip to Coushatta next Friday, facing a very explosive Red River offense. The next home game is Oct. 8 against Winnfield.

If you can’t be there to enjoy the fantastic pregame fireworks show, the performances by the Many High band and spirit groups, and what should be ideal evening weather conditions, you can listen to the game broadcast on 99.9 KTEZ FM with Randy Bostian and Bradley Ford.

Look for game coverage Saturday afternoon on the Sabine Parish Journal Facebook page, and in Monday morning’s edition of the SPJ.

Longtime Administrator in Sabine Parish School District Named Next Superintendent

/ NPJ

The Sabine Parish School Board is pleased to announce Mr. Shane Wright as the next Superintendent of Schools in Sabine Parish. Current Superintendent, Dr. Sara P. Ebarb will retire effective December 31, 2021.

Mr. Wright is a product of Sabine Parish Schools, graduating from Many High School, then earning his Bachelor and Master Plus 30 Degrees from Northwestern State University. He currently holds a valid for life Louisiana Teaching Certificate.

Mr. Wright has over 20 years of experience starting out as a Classroom Teacher and Coach at Many High School, then becoming Assistant Principal at Many Jr. High School, and then progressed to the Central Office as Director of Administrative Services which includes oversight of Transportation, District Athletics, and Human Resources.

Mr. Wright is married to Dr. Sarah Rankin Wright and they have a daughter, Alaina, who is a senior at Many High School.

Board President, Terrell Snelling, commented saying, “In moving forward as a school district, we are proud that Mr. Shane Wright will lead the way. He has served the district well for years, has a positive outlook, and has gleaned much support from the community. On behalf of the School Board, we welcome Mr. Wright and what he will bring to the table.”

Mr. Wright is looking forward to serving as the District’s new Superintendent and is committed to working with staff and teachers to improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for the students of Sabine Parish.

SPSO Cooks to Provide Lunch to Preschoolers Across Sabine Parish

/ NPJ
MANY, La – Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Chief Deputy Brad Walker cooked for 230 Pre-K kids from across the parish at the Sabine Parish Fair today.
 
Sheriff Mitchell grilled hot dogs and the kids had snacks and juice with help from Chief Deputy Walker, Sgt James Campbell, Deputy Earl Pearce, and Sherri Bennett. Sheriff Mitchell’s wife, Leigh Ann, and Chief Deputy Walker’s wife, Laura, were a very big help also.
 
The Sheriff and Deputies talked to kids about “stranger danger” and reasons they should dial 911.
Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Walker presented all of the kids with Junior Deputy Badges.
 
SOURCE: SPSO

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office will be hosting this training class for criminal justice personnel

/ NPJ
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office will be hosting this training class for criminal justice personnel at Cypress Bend Conference Center in November 2021.
 
Chief Deputy Brad Walker attended this class in Mississippi in 2018 when he was a detective and found it to be a very effective tool in homicide investigations and excellent training for law enforcement.